Boston Red Sox fans, take a breath—Roman Anthony is heading to the injured list, but the young star insists it's "nothing too serious."

The 21-year-old outfielder and designated hitter, who turns 22 on May 13, sustained a right hand injury during Monday's 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. What was initially described as a day-to-day wrist sprain has now been clarified: Anthony is dealing with a sprained ligament below his ring finger. X-rays came back negative, but after flying back to Boston to see a hand specialist, the team decided to place him on the IL.

Interim manager Chad Tracy broke the news Thursday ahead of the Red Sox's series opener against the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays—a key four-game set that kicks off a seven-game homestand. Tracy explained that while Anthony hasn't suffered any setbacks in his recovery, the expected length of his absence made it necessary to bring up infielder Mickey Gasper to fill the roster spot.

Anthony himself addressed the media before Thursday's game, offering reassurance to fans. "For me, where I stand right now, how it's gone on and the way that it's felt over the last few days, when the IL stint is over, I plan to be in that game the next day that I'm off IL," he said, via WEEI's Rob Bradford.

This season has been a rollercoaster for the young star, who burst onto the scene in his MLB debut before signing an eight-year, $130 million extension last year. After a slow start to 2026—complicated by back issues—Anthony had found his groove, riding a four-game hit streak that included a three-hit performance against the Houston Astros on May 1.

The injury happened when he fouled off a pitch in Detroit, cutting short that momentum. But with the All-Star break still on the horizon and Anthony's confidence high, the Red Sox are playing it safe with their prized asset. For now, it's a temporary pause for a player whose best is clearly still ahead.